In the Mood: What Book Do You Want to Read Right Now?

By Kirsten Mortensen

Oh, how I envy people who know exactly what kind of book they like to read!

Because if you asked me what books I like, I’m not sure how I’d answer.

The problem is, my “taste” changes from day to day—even hour to hour—depending on all kinds of factors. The mood I’m in. What books I’ve been discussing lately with my friends. How my day went, even!

Because I’m a writer, I read some books out of curiosity. Although I enjoyed science fiction when I was in high school, for example, I didn’t touch it at all for many years. Now I’ve met some sci-fi fans and I’ve become curious about the genre. I’m reading a sci-fi book now by the novelist Sarah Hoyt, and I’ve picked up some classic sci-fi titles for my TBR pile. I love how it’s expanded my reading world!

Another type of book I enjoy is classic literature, but I have to be in just the right frame of mind to tackle it. So often, classics are denser and longer than genre or “poplit” books. I think of it like the difference between stopping at taco stand and booking a reservation at a 5-star restaurant. Both meals can be fun and satisfying, but one demands a bit more of a commitment. The next classic I plan to read: Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.

Sometimes all I want is to escape. You know that feeling? I want to read something that just takes me away from day-to-day life—something that gives me a rest from the hassles of paying the bills, getting over a head cold, or whatever other little problems are bothering me at the time. For this, the prescription is a fast-paced, plot-driven book. When Elmore Leonard passed away, for example, I bought a couple of his novels, and wow, I enjoyed them. Fun, fast-paced, and often laugh-out-loud humorous. Perfect escapist books!

A related feeling I have, sometimes, is the desire to become aware of the reality of the non-physical or spiritual dimensions of life. I satisfy this by reading non-fiction books on spiritual topics or first-person accounts of spiritual experiences. I recently read a book by Mason Winfield on supernatural phenomenon in Upstate New York, and I loved how it made me slow down and think about the impressions the past leaves on the present.

I find reading non-fiction to be very settling, so I gravitate toward books about history as a way to feel calm.

So how about you? Do you look for different kinds of books depending on your mood?

I feel like they’re necessary for success. The era where the writer sits in the dark and churns out the books is long gone. Readers are voracious, not only for the product, but for the composer—if you will. Readers want to connect with authors. Get to know them, interact with them, share their love for the stories they can’t put down. So I feel like social media sites like FB and twitter offer a venue where readers CAN connect with authors. From the comfort of home—or cellphone. It’s a constant basis, not a once-in-a-while signing.

P.S. I LIVE on Facebook.

If you could do any job in the world what would you do?

I’m already doing it. No, really. All I want to do is write. I have the best job EVER.

How do you feel about self-publishing?

 Proponent. I myself self-publish my fantasy romance series, The King’s Riders. There are many many quality self-published books out there, that the authors did just as well—if not better—than any publishing company, and I am really glad that the stigma of being self-published is receding. It’s not so much “Oh, no publisher would take your work” like it used to be. But I also feel that authors NEED to put into their self-published books THE SAME as most publishing companies do. They need to spend $ on a GREAT cover, they need to get a PROFESSIONAL editor. This gets very expensive. So, for every AWESOME self-published book, unfortunately, there is a crap book out there, too. THESE books are the ones that carry on the negative opinion of self-published works.

It can happen for any reason. The author is new and doesn’t do research. They in either jump the gun before their ready, or they don’t care. I hope this isn’t the case most of the time.

Books, and writing are a business. Everyone sees it differently, so you never know.

Do you know your neighbors?

Yes. Our next door neighbors are friends of mine and my husband’s and we double date from time to time. Super fun!

What does love mean to you?

Everything. People are designed to love, crave to give and receive love. I believe there are different kinds of love, but it’s a universal thing that all of us want, whether people admit it or not.

Love to me means that I am cared for, cherished, protected. Always on someone’s mind, in someone’s heart.

It gives me meaning as a person to love and be loved.

Do you find the time to read?

Actually I make time to read. I have been reading books as long as I have been writing, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read, when I get time to relax. I think writers should ALWAYS read. As much I love the stories in my head, I love other people’s stories just as much!

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

Perseverance. When I want something I work hard to get it. I keep working hard until I have gotten it. Not afraid of the hard work to get what I want.

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?

“Who wills
Can.
Who tries
Does.
Who loves
Lives”

Anne McCaffrey, one of my fave authors of all time had this as a chapter header in one of the Dragonriders of Pern series. It has always hit home for me. Frankly, it’s how I live my life.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

Stating I was going to become published. Gaining that first contract and selling a book to a publisher. It was—and still is—awesome.

What is your favorite color?

Blue. I’m all about blue!

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Not really. LOL! It’s just something I have always done. I started when I was seven or eight with poetry and moved on to novels as a young teen.

Small Town Texas doesn't always mean small time crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn't have a shot, no matter how big the crime.

They work together and fight together. Relationships will be forged and changed along the twists and turns.

When fate intervenes, love and happiness can be found in unlikely places.

This is book two in the Crossing Forces series

Vowing to protect her had nothing to do with feelings.

Detective Pete Crane catches a new shooting case and considers it business-as-usual. But when the lead witness is the Chief of Police’s fiery assistant, he never anticipated she’d challenge him—personally and professionally. Especially while under his protection.

Little do they know, the shooting she and her grandmother witnessed was anything but random.

Thrown together, their attraction sizzles, even though she’s squarely in the no-fly zone. She makes him break every rule in his little black book.

Nikki Harper has been attracted to Pete since they met two years ago. Witnessing a brutal shooting throws her into a stigma that’s always been her greatest fear—a victim. She has no choice but to accept his protective custody and let him help save her and her beloved grandmother.

Can Pete protect his witness and solve the case, while fighting the intense heat with Nikki?

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Genre – Romantic Suspense

Rating – R

More details about the author

Connect with C.A. Szarek on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://caszarekwriter.blogspot.com/

The hard driven, ambitious delta force operative is immune to women. His heart has been destroyed by a treacherous woman and the unexpected loss of his family. These events have driven him nearly into insanity. The hard knocks in life propel him into grasping his emotions, his thoughts, and his physical condition. He focused on his goal. Loco doesn’t allow any type of distractions or obstacles to stop him. His actions and recklessness have earned him his nickname, Loco.

The Infinite power, Razer 8 operatives, are united and linked for infinity. His team mates recognize his pain, anger, and strength is derived from the intense impotency he feels from his loss.

The unexpected mission and unexpected encounter with his soul mate, tests his strength. His mind, heart, and soul recognize his love even before the actual encounter. The ruthless criminals threaten to harm his soul mate, pushing and transforming him into a fearless warrior.

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Ghost is an old-fashioned Southern boy fighting hard to forget his pain. He’s forced to protect his Mama and sister from their abusive Pa. Ghost is strong, silent, and soft spoken. He works hard against all obstacles and hurt.

Ghost grows up to become a Delta Force. He meets and falls for a hot Latina who sets him on fire! She captures his soul and brightens his world. He would do anything to protect her.

Duty calls and he’s forced to leave her unprotected. The unspeakable happens! Ghost calls on Infinity. Infinity aids to extract his woman from the clutches of a soulless prostitution mob. Time is running out!

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Bulldog is the youngest of the Razer 8 Delta Force Operatives. He enjoys life. He’s called upon to help out one of his team operative. Infinity is there.

He runs into Katherine Morgan, a sweet young victim. In the the process of extraction he gets caught by the prostitution gang. They mistake him with being her boyfriend.

Bulldog grabs onto that line and poses as her boyfriend. In the process of rescuing Katherine from the mob he becomes entangled in her web. Will Bulldog’s skills and training save him from falling under her spell? Will he be able to outrun the mob and his soul?

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Redfox, Razer 8 operative mission is to infiltrate the Police Commissioner’s office and home. He has 72 hours to gather the intel on the Commissioner’s dirty business.

Redfox charms his way into the Commissioner’s home, throwing him into the arms of his soul mate. The unexpected love rocks his world and the success his mission.

The Commissioner’s daughter, Marsha Diane Bryant is a lovely sweet young girl. She falls under Redfox spell and unconditionally bestows her soul.

Redfox fears losing his soul mate in the process of completing his mission. Can their love survive the storm?

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Genre – Romantic Suspense

Rating – PG 13

More details about the author

Connect with P.T. Macias on Facebook and Twitter

Website http://ptmacias.com/